Vigo County Commissioners hear proposal for expanding internet access

Plan to Expand High-Speed Internet Access in Southern Vigo County

Introduction

VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) – A plan to expand high-speed internet access in southern Vigo County was presented to the Vigo County Commissioners on Tuesday. Mainstream Fiber Networks outlined its goal of bringing high-speed internet to more residents in the area.

Project Details

The project would involve boring or hanging 145 miles of fiber-optic cable, providing internet access to approximately 1,700 homes. The estimated cost of the project is $9.1 million.

Funding

Mainstream Fiber Net works would cover 95% of the costs, with additional funding coming from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Request for Support

During the meeting, the company requested that the commissioners sign a letter of support for the project. The commissioners plan to review the proposed letter before making a decision.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article discusses the plan to expand high-speed internet access in southern Vigo County, which is related to SDG 9 that focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. Additionally, the goal of providing internet access to more residents in the area aligns with SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
2. SDG 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

The plan to expand high-speed internet access in southern Vigo County aims to develop reliable and sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9.1) to support economic development and improve human well-being. Additionally, providing internet access to more residents contributes to the target of universal access to safe and inclusive public spaces (SDG 11.7).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of miles of fiber-optic cable installed
• Number of homes with internet access
• Percentage of costs covered by Mainstream Fiber Networks
• Amount of funding received from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program

The article mentions that the project involves boring or hanging 145 miles of fiber-optic cable to provide internet access to approximately 1,700 homes. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of developing infrastructure and providing access to internet services. Additionally, the article states that Mainstream Fiber Networks would cover 95% of the costs, indicating a potential indicator for measuring the financial sustainability of the project. The funding received from the BEAD program can also serve as an indicator of external support and investment in the project.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wthitv.com